Constitution should be reviewed with sober minds

Iam very honored to join you all in this workshop whose discussions are centered around the expected Constitutional Review which the government remains committed to. I am particularly delighted that civil society has found it worthwhile to start some discussions while awaiting the actual constitutional review process to commence. Well done and keep it up.

I have been informed that the workshop is held under the theme “Towards a people driven constitution.” The theme is undoubtedly well thought, as we in government are also of the belief that any outcomes of the

Constitutional review must be people centered. Such can only be achieved if consultations are thorough and people have an opportunity to input on what they envisage. In that regard, this workshop helps build the case and evidence of consultation.

Like in any other country in the world, national leaders are very influential in setting the tone for public discourse.

It is therefore not surprising that after President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s repeated expressions of a desire for a constitutional review, as well as pronouncement of the same in the BDP 2019 General Election manifesto, there is so much expectation among Batswana.

We are pleased that we have caught the attention of so many of our countrymen and women, and we wish to assure you all that our commitment is as steadfast as ever. At the appropriate time, the process of consultations on the review of the constitution will commence.

One thing that we must all be mindful of, however, is that the constitution is a sensitive document and should, therefore, be reviewed with utmost caution and sober minds. I am certain that nobody in Botswana wishes for this envisaged process to be a cause of untenable divisions amongst us.

Thus far, we have been a united and proud nation, and we must maintain the status quo. So, once the process commences, this attitude must inform us every step of the way.

During the 2020 State of the Nation Address, His Excellency the President reiterated government’s commitment to the promised constitutional review. He also went further and informed that it will commence as soon as practically possible, and even cautioned that the process is sensitive and ought to be handled with care.

These sentiments cannot be taken lightly now, and they should not be taken lightly even once the process kickstarts. We must all aspire to come out of the process just as united, if not more united, than before.

I wish now to conclude my remarks by reminding you all that our forefathers created and left us a constitution that has kept Botswana at peace since the attainment of independence. A lot of wisdom went into the creation of the foundations of our nation. This is the same heritage that we must aspire to leave for our children.

In future, when our children sing “ke boswa jwa boRraetsho,” they must do so with pride knowing very well that we too left them a heritage to be proud of. Let us do and consider only that which is necessary and not be tempted to propose or make changes just for the sake of being seen to be doing something different.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu made these remarks at a workshop on Constitutional Review organised by BOCONGO this week